Walking cane with multi-positional light and security features

ABSTRACT

A walking cane with multi-positional light and security features has a cane portion with a multi-positional light attached to a forward facing portion of the cane portion. The light is battery operated and may be rechargeable. The light may be directed straight ahead or straight down and other positions between. A switch is provided to turn the light on and off. A pouch may be attached to the cane to hold items like cell phones or wallets, etc. to free the hands of the user. The pouch has a closeable flap that is secured using a Additionally, to enhance security, a siren is provided to alert nearby persons of an emergency situation. A small but loud speaker is provided to emit a very loud emergency sound and is controlled using a provided switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Humans have been using support means such as sticks since prehistoric times. This is especially true for disabled or older people who require support when walking. Modern canes have improved in terms of the materials used and the orientation of the support tip or tips to enhance their use. Unfortunately, the use of a cane requires at least one hand and thus makes it more difficult to carry things while using the cane. This makes using a cane at night particularly problematic. Additionally, many people need to carry a phone or wallet or other such items and again, this is more difficult to do while using a cane. There is a need for a cane that allows its user to safely illuminate the path and to carry small items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A walking cane with multi-positional light and security features has a cane portion with a multi-positional light attached to a forward facing portion of the cane portion. The light is battery operated and may be rechargeable. The light may be directed straight ahead or straight down and other positions between. A switch is provided to turn the light on and off. A pouch may be attached to the cane to hold items like cell phones or wallets, etc. to free the hands of the user. The pouch has a closeable flap that is secured using a Additionally, to enhance security, a siren is provided to alert nearby persons of an emergency situation. A small but loud speaker is provided to emit a very loud emergency sound and is controlled using a provided switch.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a cane with multi-positional light according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the cane with multi-positional light shown in FIG. 1 with the light adjusted to project light ahead of the cane.

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the cane with multi-positional light shown in FIG. 1 with the light adjusted to project light at the base of the cane.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of a cane with an multi-positional light according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of a cane with an multi-positional light according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing of a the cane with an multi-positional light shown in FIG. 1 with a pouch.

FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing of the cane with multi-positional light shown in FIG. 6 having a warning siren

FIG. 8 is a perspective drawing of a cane with multi-positional light according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a walking cane with multi-positional light 100 is shown having a cane 110. Cane portion 110 has a handle portion as is known in the art to allow a user to grip cane portion 110 while in use. A multi-positional light 120 is secured to cane portion 110 along a forward facing portion. Multi-positional light 120 has a battery 130. Battery 130 may be a standard battery or may be rechargeable. If a rechargeable battery is used, a plug may be provided (not shown) to allow the user to plug a charging cable (not shown) to charge battery 130 as is known in the art.

Multi-positional light 120 has a hinge 140 to allow multi-positional light 120 to be adjusted. This allows the user to adjust an illumination area 150 where it is most useful. In the drawings, illumination area 150 is shown parallel to the ground, some distance out in front of the user and at the base of cane portion 110, but of course it can be adjusted to any position allowed by hinge 140. A light switch 195 is provided to allow a user to turn multi-positional light 120 on and off. Multi-positional light 120 may be an LED light, incandescent, CFL or any other suitable light source capable of operating on a battery charge for a reasonable length of time.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, cane portion 110 is shown having a multi-positional light 160. In this embodiment, multi-positional light 160 is circular shaped with a hinge 170 to allow the user to position multi-positional light 160 wherever it is needed. Of course any shaped light is usable as long as it is battery operated and can be moved to different positions. A light switch 198 may be located along an upper portion of cane portion 110.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a cane 210 is shown having an alternative shape from cane portion 110 shown in FIGS. 1-3. Of course any suitable cane shape may be used as long as it allows a user to walk with it and also has a portion where a multi-positional light may be attached.

Referring to FIG. 6, cane with multi-positional light 100 is shown having a pouch 180 attached to a portion thereof. Pouch 180 is suitable to hold cellphones, wallets, radios, etc. Additionally, a plurality of pouches may be attached to increase the carrying functionality. Pouch 180 is closeable using a hook and loop fastener 185 and a flap 182. Pouch 180 is attached to cane portion 110 using standard fastening means (not shown) such as, but not limited to glue, screws, bolts, ties, etc. to either permanently or temporarily attach pouch 180 to cane portion 110 as is known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 7, multi-positional light 120 has a siren function 190 built in to allow a user to signal distress in case of some emergency. A piezoelectric speaker may be used to provide a very loud, (100 dB or louder is suggested), to provide a distress signal that can alert surrounding people of a situation even in noisy conditions. Of course other kinds of speakers may be used as is known in the art as long as the speaker can be battery operated and provides a loud distress call.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A walking cane with multi-positional light comprising: a cane portion; a multi-positional light; said multi-positional light being disposed along a forward facing portion of said cane portion; said multi-positional light having a hinge portion whereby said multi-positional light is rotatably secured on said forward facing portion; whereby an illumination area emitted from said multi-positional light is direct-able from a position essentially parallel to said forward facing portion to a position essentially perpendicular thereon; a light switch electrically connected to said multi-positional light; and a battery electrically connected to said multi-positional light.
 2. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 1 wherein said battery is rechargeable.
 3. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 1 further comprising a pouch disposed on a vertical portion of said cane portion.
 4. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 3 further comprising a flap attached to an upper portion of said pouch and a hook and loop fastener attached to said flap wherein said flap is selectively secured to said pouch to hold items therein.
 5. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 1 wherein said multi-positional light is an LED light.
 6. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 1 wherein said multi-positional light is an incandescent light.
 7. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 1 wherein said multi-positional light is a CFL light.
 8. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 1 further comprising an emergency siren.
 9. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 8 where said emergency siren is disposed with said multi-positional light.
 10. The walking cane with multi-positional light according to claim 9 further comprising an emergency siren switch electrically connected to said emergency siren and said battery. 